SacTown Film Fest 5th Festival will be held on April 9th-12th 2027, at ESQUIRE IMAX THEATRE 1211 K STREET, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814.

The festival focuses on highlighting independent film to help promote both local and International Filmmakers. We emphasize and help facilitate networking and collaboration of our filmmakers, actors, and attendees.

The Film Festival will include Short Films,
Feature Films, Animation, Minority, Environmental, Documentaries, and a Scriptwriting contest with a cash prize for the winner.

There will be a red carpet, networking, a Q&A with filmmakers, and an awards ceremony, where trophies will be presented to the award winners. We will also have a Film Festival Mixer on April 9th, 2027.

Awards & Prizes

Award Winners will receive a Trophy, Free Merch, and a feature/Interview on SacTown Media Buff's TV Show, which airs on Xfinity's Channel 17 and 20 as well as AT&T's Channel 14.

Rules & Terms

SacTown Film Fest (STFF) SUBMISSION RULES

1. STFF competition is open to the United States and International entries.
2. All films must submit online preview screeners.
3. Foreign language entries must have English language subtitles.
4. Entries must have been completed in the past year.
5. Applicants may submit as many entries as they wish if each entry has a separate entry form and fee.
6. Any physical materials mailed in must be labeled with submitter's contact information. All emails must include the name of your film.
7. Any materials mailed in will not be returned to the submitters.
8. SMBFF has the right to screen any film or project submitted to the SMBFF. SMBFF does not pay screening fees.
9. In order to receive any award trophy, the project's producer, director, and/or film cast and crew must be present.
10. If [a film is] officially selected, it is the responsibility of the submitter to send the festival their film in digital format, as requested by the festival.
11. All films selected must be converted to DCP Format to play on IMAX screen.
12. All films must be in 24 fps to be converted to DCP.
13. All decisions made by the festival are final and at their discretion.
14. There are no refunds for entry or ticket purchases.
34 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Zemario Sheppard

    SacTown Film Festival was amazing, as always. Being selected for two of my films meant a lot—especially getting to premiere Paid For.

    Seeing it on the biggest screen in Sacramento was something else. Hearing the audience react, feeling them locked in with every moment… that’s why we do this. And the DCP looked incredible.

    The mixer was just as valuable—I made real connections that I’m definitely building with moving forward. This is the kind of exposure and community independent film needs.

    Grateful for the award, but even more grateful for the experience.

    Appreciate Kierre and the SacTown Movie Buffs for what they’re doing for Sacramento and putting us on the map.

    Bigger and better on the way.

    #indiecine

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much!

  • Chelsea Kirkpatrick

    Sacramento should be proud of their growing film community! The SacTown Film Festival brought out crowds of people and brought in amazing work from so many filmmakers and really spotlights what Sacramento can make creatively. We were fortunate enough to have our first feature film GetAway premiere on IMAX thanks to Kierre and his team that made the festival possible, and we even won Best Writers, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Editor! Everyone there made it such a wonderful experience, and getting to see so many films from so many different perspectives was just amazing. Definitely look at SacTown Film Festival for your next projects, I know it's going to be my first festival submission for all my future films!

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We thank you so much for your kind words. We can't wait to see what you and your team come up with next!

  • Dania Denise

    The Sactown Film Festival is one of those events where you feel the camaraderie of fellow filmmakers and everyone is genuinely there to cheer for each other. Our teams won several awards for both of our shorts, Raven Motel and SCAR, and each day was chock full of great experiences, wonderful networking opportunities, and who doesn't love seeing their work on an IMAX screen? We've now been spoiled and don't think we can ever watch our screenings the same. Other film festivals take note: step up your game and get access to an IMAX theater like Sactown did! Kierre and his team did a great job and we're grateful for the opportunity to be included this year. Wishing them much continued success!

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words! Greatly appreciated!

  • Bad Habit Cinema

    Kierre and his team put together an incredible festival, well run and full of great energy. It was an honor to not only have our film Mr TV Man be featured but take home awards for best horror, best editing and make up. Looking forward to seeing this festival grow!

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much!

  • Rae Ramsey

    QUALITY! SacTown Film Festival was a top notch experience. My team and I premiered our debut short film, Second Chance, here, and were blown away by the entire experience. The festival left us inspired and so ready to continue creating. We even took home a few awards! We can’t wait for next year, and look forward to seeing how this festival continues to grow and expand. What an amazing experience.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much!